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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    25 Lazy Dinner Casseroles That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 15, 2025, updated May 16, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Casseroles are the ultimate solution for busy weeknights, combining convenience and comfort in one dish. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, these 25 lazy dinner casseroles make it easy to put a satisfying meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. From cheesy pasta bakes to hearty vegetable mixes, these recipes will simplify your dinner routine and keep everyone happy.

    Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie

    Shepards Pie with Tater Tots,
    Photo Credit: Mama's On a Budget.

    This dish puts a fresh spin on a classic favorite. It features a hearty mix of vegetables and beef, all covered with melty cheese and crispy tater tots.

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    Pulled Pork Tater Tot Casserole

    Pulled Pork Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Quicker Kitchen.

    This is a simple casserole that you can whip up quickly. In just 5 minutes of prep, you'll have a filling dinner ready to serve to a crowd.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is packed with chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will definitely provide some leftovers. It's perfect for a satisfying dinner that doesn't require much effort.

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    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for anyone who loves cheese and pasta. It features two kinds of cheese, a zesty kick from Gorgonzola, and a satisfying crunch from walnuts, all ready in under 40 minutes.

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    Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

    Mexican Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is a simple and tasty meal perfect for weeknights. It combines ground beef, peppers, and tater tots, all covered with melted cheese.

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    Mediterranean Veggie Casserole

    Veggie casserole.
    Photo credit: The Fiery Vegetarian.

    This casserole is quick to prepare and goes straight into the oven. You'll end up with soft veggies in a delicious, flavorful sauce.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare and ready in under an hour. It's packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, making it a tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

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    Taco Potato Casserole with Ground Beef

    Taco Potato Casserole with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit: The Honour System.

    Taco Potato Casserole is a filling and tasty dish that brings together Tex-Mex flavors and comfort food. With layers of seasoned ground beef, diced potatoes, and melted cheese, this simple casserole is great for family dinners or gatherings.

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    Chicken Capri

    Chicken Capri.
    Photo Credit: Binky's Culinary Carnival.

    Chicken Capri is a lighter version of chicken parmesan that’s easy to make. It’s a great option for a satisfying dinner without all the extra calories.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is super easy to prepare. With just four ingredients and some ready-made items, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

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    Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

    Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. This classic dish brings together tender chicken, fluffy rice, and melted cheese for a satisfying dinner.

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    Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Noodle Casserole

    Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Noodle Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cooking with Carlee.

    Leftover ham is perfect for using up in a tasty dish. This cheesy broccoli and ham casserole is a favorite way to enjoy those bits that aren't great for sandwiches.

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    Seafood Pasta Bake

    Baked seafood pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines creamy, cheesy flavors with seafood and pasta in a convenient casserole. It's a satisfying meal that's easy to prepare.

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    Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

    Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Courtney's Sweets.

    This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is quick to prepare and is a great way to use up leftover chicken and rice. It's a simple and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This tuna pasta bake is creamy and packed with flavor, using canned tuna and mozzarella cheese along with a few other easy ingredients. It's a simple dish that comes together quickly, perfect for a satisfying dinner.

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    Chicken Divan

    Chicken divan.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This creamy chicken divan features tender broccoli and shredded chicken mixed in a rich cheese sauce. It's finished off with melted cheese and crunchy Ritz crackers for added flavor and texture.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole combines all the delicious flavors of tacos into a simple one-dish meal. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Big Mac Casserole

    Big Mac Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This casserole features ground beef, cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots, all topped with a tasty Big Mac sauce. It's a fun and satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta packed with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for a cozy dinner when you want something satisfying without putting in too much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a simple and cheesy dish that everyone will enjoy. It's the perfect comfort food for a cozy night in.

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    Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake

    Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake.
    Photo Credit: My Suburban Kitchen.

    Busy weeknights can still be delicious without resorting to fast food. This Sloppy Joe biscuit bake is sure to please everyone at the dinner table!

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    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant Moussaka with Lamb.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a simple dinner packed with vegetables, ground beef or lamb, and plenty of cheese on top. This version skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead for a healthy and tasty Mediterranean meal.

    Get the recipe

    Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    With layers of seasoned ground beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and cheese, Taco Casserole is a fun weeknight meal that can be made ahead and is freezer-friendly. It’s taco night with everything baked together in a single dish.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake

    A creamy pesto pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This creamy pesto pasta bake is rich and cheesy, all made in one pan for easy cleanup. It comes together in under an hour and has a flavor that rivals your favorite restaurant dish.

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    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Steak pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish features a creamy steak and mushroom pasta baked with cheese for a comforting dinner. It’s ready in just 45 minutes and can be made in an oven-safe skillet, so you won’t have to deal with a lot of dishes.

    Get the recipe

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      19 Summer Casseroles That Are Perfect for Potlucks

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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